Han Emperors in China
Early China
- The Qin Dynasty were very harsh on taxes, labor quotas, and strict punishments.
- the people of the Qin dynasty rebelled and a war of rival kings started throughout all of china.
- two powerful people emerged: Xiang Yu and Liu Bang
Han Dynasty
- These two leaders ended up hating each other and fought their last battle in 202 B.C.- Lui Bang won and declared himself the first emperor of the Han Dynasty
- The Han Dynasty ruled China for more than 400 years. However their rule was broken up into 2 parts because there was a time where they lost their power for a short period of time.
- Very influential, even today people from China often refer themselves as "people of the Han
Bang's steps to unified China
- First goal was to destroy the rival kings' power.
- he was going to do this by establishing centralized government
- this is where the central authority controls the running of the state.
- He also lowered taxes and softened the harsh legal punishments of the people.
Empress Lu
- When Bang died his son became emperor, but not really.
- the real ruler was the son's mother. one of the wives of Bang
- When Lu died the people that supported bang were upset, and they executed the people who Lu had put into power.
Wudi
- After 30-40 years of turmoil and poor leadership, Bang's great grandson took control of the Hans and his name was Wudi
- He is known throughout history as the "Martial Emperor" because his idea of expanding China was through war
- the first set of people that he had to deal with were the Xiongnu (shee-Ung-noo)
Xiongnu
- Were fierce nomads known for their deadly archery from horseback
- Usually attacked China's farms and would take people hostage and steal goods.
- early Han emperors would try to send them gifts to stop but they usually would not quit.
- Wudi had other ideas and sent 100,00 men to fight them.
Pyramid
- Top tier- Emperor
- 2nd tier- King, governor
- 3rd tier- state officials, nobles, and scholars
- 4th tier- peasants
- 5th tier- artisans, merchants
- 6th tier- soldiers
- 7th tier- slaves
Han Technology
- Advancements included paper. paper was invented in 105, A.D. Before this books were written in silk.
- silk is very expensive compared to paper.
- so this allowed for many more people to get an education
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